IT is the nature of Truth that though it be long ſuppreſſed and obſcured with humane policie, yet being gotten out of the clouds, it ſhines with clear beams, & doth appear more evedently to every common underſtanding, ſo that the guard which his Majeſty is pleaſed to raiſe in the the North, doth now ſeem to be an army againſt Parliament, and ſhewes what was in the thoughts of His evill Counſellors, before Hull or the Militia or any thing of that nature was in queſtion. And beſides there are many reaſons to fortifie opinions, that the Rebellion in Ireland was a plot deepely laid, they grounding their confidence on a true ſuppoſition that their deſigne was favoured by ſome chiefe perſons of England, and by their bold carriage therein have drawn the King into the ſuſpition of a newtrality or at leaſt a coldneſſe in the Proteſtant Religion, confirmed ſince by his adheering to the Counſell of the Malignant party, being moſt of them Papiſts, for is it not a miracle that a King who might be ſo ſtrong in the affections of his Subjects, ſhould endeavour to perſecute his ſubjects with the deſtroying ſword, and to make them ſuffer in his undeſerv'd diſpleaſure, by laying cloſe ſiege unto diverſe Towns and Citties, and battering them with Cannons. How cleare and free from aſperſion might hee be if he would embrace the love of his Subjects? how ſafe from tranſporting errours, if hee would confide in the knowledge and uprightneſſe of his loyall Parliament? while on the contrary, being violently led on by pernicious Councellors, his actions doe not redound to the improvement of his Royall dignity, but only to the encreaſing of the fears, jealouſies, and amazements of this Kingdome, who though loath to offend through remerity of judgement, yet, when the appearance in what a ſtrange way of violence matters have been carryed, though the Parliament hath with all humility beſought a reconcilement, and how the ill-affected party hath embe •••• ed His Majeſty in the cruelty of a civill warre, the … eneſſe whereof kill and diſanimate the hearts of all true loving Subjects, theſe conſiderable reaſons have plunged many into diſtracted opinions, as that the Parliaments deſtruction under a colourable and cloſe pretence, hath bin the intended ayme of many precedent actions, that Hull and the Militia were not the chiefe grounds of diſtance between the King and Parliament, but that ſomething elſe of more high conſequence did foment and cheriſh this ſeparation, and made the diſaffected party withdraw the K. to remote parts, there to ripen deſignes, which being formerly premeditated do now break out with apparent violence, it being very difficult to hide affection though ſhadowed under the faireſt pretences. But that which doth beget the greateſt and neweſt admiration, is, that the rebels in Ireland ſhould proceed to ſuch a miraculous boldneſſe, that being not contented to have perpetrated ſuch unheard of cruelties againſt the Engliſh, to have made mothers ſpectators of their own childrens murther, to have ſhewd their inveterate tyranny in the bloody maſacre maſſacre of the Proteſtants, making the whole Land to overflow with innocent blood, what blinded preſumption ſhould make them dare to become petitioners unto the King in ſuch an audacious manner as they have lately done, for it is moſt certaine that being led on with a hope that thereafter will be ſeaſonable according to the diſtractions of the preſent eſtate of England, they have adventured with a world of impudence to preſent unto the K. a diſgracefull tender of their ſervice, that ſeeing his Majeſty is ingaged in a civill war, and by diverſe reaſons neceſſitated therunto, they would beſeech his gracious favour to accept of their good wils in aſſiſting him againſt his Parliament and Subjects, and knowing that their miſeries hitherto endured were not by his Majeſty procured nor altogether allowed, they in all willing obedience to vindicate the Kings honour, and advance • ll his • roceedings and intents, will be ready, if his Majeſty would give them leave, to tranſport themſelves over into England, ſo to aid and aſſiſt his Majeſty, and by ſtrength to carry on all his deſigns til they arrive at a proſperous end, & that they joyning with the Papiſts here in England (which are a great and conſiderable number) do not doubt but to curb the inſolence of the Proteſtants, to plant againe the deſpiſed popiſh Religion, to reunite to all the errours of the Church unto the Catholike unity, to vindicate the Kings ſupremacy, & ſtare him in an unlimited arbitr • ry government. Thus much in effect the Rebels of Ireland do intimate to the King by way of petition, & whence this boldneſſe ſhould proceed is doubtful to imagine, unleſſe ſome ſecret familiarity with the Kings inclination gave them this confidence, how can they that are rebels condemned to the Kings mercy, preſume to offer him the helpe of their hands in a warlike aſſiſtance, who have already by their Rebellion forfeited their heads, this ſeemes moſt ſtrange, neither can the wonder be taken off, unleſſe it be admitted that they have ſome ground to hope that their offer ſhould be accepted, but how they ſhould proceed to preſent this petition to the Kings Majeſty is full of myſtery, and doth diſcover many cloſe affections and conceale contrivances of policie, and doth imply that they have ſome reaſon unto them formerly knowne, which makes the popiſh cruell Rebels to proſtrate their ſervice to the King, in a bold and unexpected manner in the forme of the aforeſaid petition.

Yet ſuch is the unwearied watchfulneſſe of our Adverſaries, that all our attempts are made fruſtrate; And now of late when by Lieutenant Colonell Read, whom therefore we imployed, becauſe a ſtranges to our cauſe and Country, and ſo likelieſt to paſſe undiſcovered, wee ſent our Petition. He poore Gentleman was intercepted, and put to the torture of the Wracke, ſo as now it is beyond our reach, and onely in Your Power to provide that we may be heard by Your Majeſty, ſince we are ſo unhappy as that Your Majeſties reſolution of comming into this Your Kingdoms, met with greater diverſions than the threats and menaces of the Puritane party of the Parliament of England, who ſeeke all things to limit You our King, and to governe us Your Subjects.

That it would therefore pleaſe Your Majeſty, to appoint ſome ſuch way by which with ſafety wee may approach Your Royall preſence, that ſo You may be informed truely of the whole ſcope of our Reſolutions, and we receive faithfully Your Commande.

And we, as our duty bindes us, will ever pray f •• Your Majeſties happy raigne over us.